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Khaleel Ahmed - India's new hope for a left-handed seamer

The inclusion of rookie pacer Khaleel Ahmed in the Asia Cup squad is India's latest move to find a potent left-arm fast bowler that can lend variety an attack that has grown in stature over the years but remains without a southpaw seam-up option that is consistent with his performance.

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Sep 1, 2018, 15:42 IST

Highlights

Khaleel has played for Rajasthan U-19, India U-19 as well as DD and SRH in the Indian Premier League

The BCCI selectors have rested Virat Kohli and handed over captaincy to Rohit Sharma

Rayudu, Jadhav and Pandey have been recalled into the ODI squad

Khaleel Ahmed (TOI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The inclusion of rookie pacer Khaleel Ahmed in the Asia Cup squad is India's latest move to find a potent left-arm fast bowler that can lend variety to an attack that has grown in stature over the years but remains without a southpaw seam-up option that is consistent with his performance.

The likes of Jaydev Unadkat and Barinder Sran haven't lived up to the high standards the Indian team has set for itself in performance and fitness, which is why the radar has moved to 20-year-old Ahmed.

"Yes there are 2-3 slots that we are yet to finalise. One is a left handed seamer's slot where we are looking at Khaleel," said MSK Prasad, chairman of the selection committee.

"So for those spots, we will be trying and we will look at these (coming) 24 matches. As we move closer towards World Cup, you guys will come to know," he added.

Khaleel, a 20-year-old from Rajasthan's Tonk has played 17 List A matches, taking 28 wickets at an economy rate of 4.74.

He comes with a white-ball experience from the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he appeared for the Delhi Daredevils in 2016 and then Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last season. While Delhi had bought him for just Rs 10 lakh at the IPL auction, the Hyderabad franchise splurged Rs 3.2 crore to get Ahmed in their ranks.

He is nippy with an ability to hustle the batsmen and Rahul Dravid has been mentoring him since the 2016 U-19 World Cup. He was with India A during the tour of England recently and also under Dravid's mentorship during his days with the Daredevils.

Besides Dravid, Ahmed's rise in cricket is credited to his childhood coach Imtiaz, who convinced his father about his son's cricketing talent and to let him continue playing.

The BCCI Selection Committee met in Mumbai on Saturday and decided to rest skipper Virat Kohli while handing over the captaincy to Rohit Sharma for the Asia Cup, taking place barely four days after a gruelling tour of England.

While the fifth and final Test against England is scheduled to be held from September 7-11, the Asia Cup is starting in the UAE from September 15.

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